Zombies, zombies, everywhere
A couple of weeks ago, I was DELIGHTED to receive my very first zombie zine. After perusing its gloriously gory pages, I was even happier to find that it was created right here in Baltimore!
Of course, I had to find out more. And creator Davida Gypsy Breier (how cool is that name?) was more than obliging.
"Rigor Mortis was probably the most organic zine I've ever published. I started publishing zines in 1995 with Leeking Ink (then called Slow Leek). It was post-college, I was working odd jobs and I needed a creative outlet," Breier explained via e-mail. "I have a friend (Dread Sockett in the issue) who I've known through zines for well over 10 years (although we've never actually met). We were each having panic attacks and would talk on the phone occasionally -- able to both laugh about and commiserate about our problems. We also happen to love horror.
"We both went on a zombie kick at exactly the same time, even coincidentally reading the same books," Breier continued. "We started writing reviews of what we were reading or watching and somehow over the course of a few months the whole thing just fell together. It was the best collaboration I have ever had with another writer/artist."
Eight-Stone Press' William P. Tandy got in on the act as well, with the appropriately grisly pseudonum Grim Pickens.
The 54-page black-and-white zine includes movie and book reviews, lists of a few zombie favorites (including Web sites and "DeadVida's Favorite Zombie Moments of 2008) and alternately funny and disturbing zombie illustrations.
Have you ever wanted to see Paris Hilton eaten by zombies? I suggest you fork your $3 over to these fine people and enjoy.
But Nancy, you say, where can I find this wonderful zombie compendium? And I'm sure you won't be the least bit surprised in the answer: Atomic Books. And, of course at Breier's own Web site, where you'll also find her many other projects.
And if you happen to be reading from Chicago, you'll find your zombie fix at Quimby's Bookstore.
"As for future issues of Rigor Mortis - they are definitely in the works," Breier said. "I don't know that we are over our zombie obsession just yet, so there may be another all-zombie issue. I would love to do a ghost issue and Dread wants to do something on his beloved EC Comics. There is no shortage of material. We all enjoyed creating Rigor Mortis and if it was just for us at the end of the day that would be fine. If other people enjoy our rantings and musings on zombies all the better."
